Results 9,741-9,760 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Economic Competitiveness. (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The public sector provision also carries a considerable cost driven by normative salary rates which are well in excess of those of many of our European partners at all levels of the service.

Economic Competitiveness. (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The budget will provide a framework with regard to our costs and competitiveness for the future. I do not accept Deputy O'Donnell's casual reference to the fact that we lost control over our exchange rates when we joined the euro. The reality is that Ireland has been locked into some form of monetary union since the earliest part of the 19th century. For a large part of that history we...

Economic Competitiveness. (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: ——and the dissemination of inaccurate information played a major part in that debate.

Economic Competitiveness. (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy must wait for the budget.

Unemployment Levels (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In view of the changing global economic environment and the slowing domestic construction sector, the prospects for employment have weakened in 2008. In July of this year my Department forecast that survey-based unemployment would average 5.8% this year. My Department is currently updating its economic and fiscal forecasts in the context of the latest information that is becoming available....

Unemployment Levels (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: My Department will arrive at a full figure when all the data is assembled from the ESRI, whose views are always entitled to the highest respect, and from other relevant organisations.

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In response to the deteriorating position of the public finances, the Government decided on 8th July 2008 to introduce a range of cost-saving measures in 2008 and 2009 including some capital savings. As I indicated to the Dáil in July 2008, the capital savings in 2008 and 2009 are as set out in the table below: Capital Savings 2008 and 2009 € million Description 2008 Arts Sport...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Section 105 Finance Act 2007 provides for a stamp duty exemption, subject to conditions, on the conveyance, transfer or lease of lands to an approved sports body. An approved sports body is an "approved body of persons" within the meaning of section 235(1) Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. Section 54 of the Finance Act 2007 made changes to Schedule 15 Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 which lists...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that a vehicle imported from the United Kingdom can be declared for registration at any Vehicle Registration Office irrespective of where the individual or purchaser is living or located.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they currently have forty-eight (48) staff located in temporary accommodation in Limerick, ready to decentralise to Newcastle West. This team will relocate to NewcastleWest as soon as the building is available for occupation. It is currently expected the building will be completed in late 2008. Revenue do not anticipate any difficulty in...

Written Answers — Departmental Transport: Departmental Transport (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: My Department does not purchase or lease vehicles. I have been informed by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners that they purchased the following vehicles in the years 2005 to 2007. Year 2005 Revenue Commissioners Make /Model No Purchased Total Cost Emissionsg CO2/km € DAF 95XF FF Fitted with Dyson Commander CL500H 1 279,184 Euro 4/5* DAF CF. 75.310 Road Vehicle Fuel Tanker 1...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 270, 271 and 280 together. The 2003 EU Energy Tax Directive contained special derogations that allowed specific excise duty reliefs to be applied in a number of Member States. In Ireland's case, these derogations allowed for reduced rates of excise duty for fuel used for public transport services, including school transport services. These derogations expired...

Written Answers — Betting Industry: Betting Industry (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the number of licences issued to bookmakers and the betting tax paid by bookmakers in each of the past 10 years for which figures are currently available is set out in the following table: Year Betting Tax Paid Licences issued € 2007 (Prov) 36,437,009 704 2006 54,295,658 496 2005 45,850,201 588 2004 45,552,353 535 2003 38,422,170 584...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Since 2000, no contracts have been awarded to the company in question by my Department or by the following bodies: The Special EU Programmes Body Valuation Tribunal Office of Revenue Commissioners Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General Office of the Appeals Commissioners Office of Public Works State Laboratory Valuation Office Public Appointments Service Office of the Commission for...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The position is that the VAT regime generally and the rate of tax applying to the supply of goods and services are subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the rate at which Irish VAT is charged on the supply of buildings and on the service of carrying out home improvements is generally the reduced rate of...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The existing legislation does not provide for any circumstances in which any taxpayer may qualify for tax relief or credits for expenditure incurred on childcare. However, I assume the Deputy's question refers to the benefit-in-kind exemption where employers provide free or subsidised childcare for their employees. This exemption applies where an employer provides such childcare facilities...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 308 together. I assume that the questions refer to the exemption from Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) in certain circumstances and the application of exit taxes under the "gross roll up" regime. Since the enactment of the Finance Act 2007, individuals are exempt from Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) on their savings income provided they or...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Four officials from the Department of Finance attended the 4th Annual Public Private Partnership Forum, held on Thursday the 19th June 2008. As they were all due to speak at the forum no charge was incurred by the Department in respect of their attendance. One officer of the Revenue Commissioners attended the forum at a cost of €592.90. In addition, two members of staff of the National...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they have reviewed their procedures in relation to the imposition of penalties in relation to tax settlements for deceased persons. Arising from this review, revised procedures apply with effect from 18 March 2008 (the date of publication of the new procedures). In accordance with these new arrangements, where the taxpayer dies before a...

Written Answers — Budget Submissions: Budget Submissions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have received a pre-Budget submission from the Irish Deaf Society. Its contents will be considered in the context of the forthcoming Budget and Finance Bill. As Deputies are aware it would not be appropriate for me to comment in advance of the Budget on possible Budget decisions.